I SIGHED AS I LOOKED AT THE CALMNESS OF THE OCEAN. I tried looking into it but it’s too deep that I cannot see the bottom. Strong waves keep hitting my body but I like how it reaches me. I can smell how salty it is and the ship is moving in a much calmer way. Now I just realized how big the world can be beyond the border. Before I thought that the next kingdom would be far and hard to reach but while riding this ship, I feel like I just can reach them with just my hand.
If I wasn’t born royal, I want to become an adventurer or a writer. I wish that I was not born as the princess of this kingdom, with no more lectures, no more pressures, and no more responsibilities that need to fulfil. If reincarnation does exist, I want to be reborn as an ordinary person. Simple life, small family, and most especially I want to be happy. Having a title is so damn hard. I have to always watch what words I will say, always prim and proper, and not have a mistake.I sighed and closedCHAPTER 08: THE LEVIATHAN PIRATESI gulped as I am currently facing the man from the other ship I saw before. The one who looks like Lilian. The blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and reddish skin are similar to Lilian. He's as tall as Drake and he looks very strict too. I looked at him in the eyes but he just smiled at me. In Short, awkward. He keeps staring at me but I don’t dare to make him stop. “C-captain, it’s nice seeing you again!” Von said while he stand in front of me, trying to cover me from the said Captain. “Oh Regor’s nephew, it’s hot out here why are you just standing in here?” The captain asked. I lowered my cloak more and choose to look down. “We are here to buy some fabrics to use for our sails, Samson is already managing it and we’re told to wait in here.” He answered. The way he speaks towards the captain is a sign that he's really afraid of him but here I am hiding in this nervous child’s back where I should be the one covering them. But
Chapter 09: AbductionAfter three hours of sleeping, I found myself crawling for food in the hall. I forgot that I’m hungry before we returned here back then. Curse that Lucas. I quietly walked towards the hall to get some food but I almost tripped on my foot when my hair covered my eyes so I immediately fixed it and focused on my surrounding hoping no one noticed me. I should have tied my hair again. I saw the meeting room filled with many unfamiliar faces so I ran quietly down the wooden stairs and I almost jumped in glee when I arrived at the kitchen. The other crew even looked at me in confusion. I awkwardly smiled at them and point my starving tummy. They started laughing when they finally get what I mean. I saw Jun and the two men who kidnapped me. The three of them look so frightened when I looked at them. I tried waving but they nervously and hurriedly exit the dining hall. The other crew who saw just laughed at them and motioned me to come close
Chapter 10: Samson LennonWE'VE BEEN sailing for five days straight in this vast scary ocean where lots of unknown creatures nested. And it's been two days after we left the Consair Cave, hoping to reach our next destination early. After that displeasing scene with the Leviathan Pirates and after the crew loaded the supply, the Hellbender once again continue sailing. We are heading toward the Hellbender crew's home, the place where their families are waiting for their arrival.Even the pirates had someone waiting for them, will embrace them, will be happy that they arrive home safely. Pirates are still a person, it's just that they choose to do inhuman jobs. Stealing and kidnapping nobles in exchange for gold coins. I know, it's inequity to someone's side but for them, it's their only way of saving their own family.How about me? Will my mother cry after seeing what situation I am in now? Will my father deploy his envoys just to raid the whole sea loo
Chapter 11: Nova VoxisI SMILED AS MY EYES SAW THE MOUNTIAN AND THE PORT. It's the island, finally, we arrived at Nova Voxis Island. Von, who stands next to me looks so excited while Thompson can't help but jump and even wave his hand already. I saw the boardwalk filled with people; kids, a wife, mother, father, siblings. They must have waited for their loved ones to return."Don't worry Lady Vienna, you will be staying with us! We have an extra room to spare!" Thompson happily exclaimed. I happily nodded and caress his hair. On my peripheral view, I saw Von looking at us. I smirked and patted his head though.I saw him grin and even hugged me. Thompson saw him and did the same thing. Goodness, these kids are filled with too much cuteness. I will surely miss them when I finally returned to my place.Minutes passed and we can finally see the port clear. The crewmen are already preparing the things that they are going to unload when we finally
Chapter 12: Lost in the WoodVienna sighed as she returned to her way back to Lennon's backyard. The path that she took does not lead her to the hill she saw but to a 30 feet cliff and she saw how cruel and aggressive the waves hit. I shouldn't have followed the surge of my emotions, now I am lost.She couldn't see the house anymore as well as the path she take. She forgot to notify someone before going out so now they might think she's only sleeping in her room. She started to panic as she saw the trees starting to get bigger and older. This means she's going in the wrong way for she didn't see these trees when she entered the forest. She sighed in disbelief as she started feeling cold as the sun started to set gold in the sky.Vienna tried to calm herself so she can think more clearly. She wandered her eyes around and saw nothing but trees and flowers. She remembered that Lennon's house does have a large mango tree beside it. She should climb more so sh
Chapter 13: ANGERED LEOWaking up in an unfamiliar place is normal for Vienna already. The very first moment she woke up in a place completely novel for her, she freaked out and jumped in the ship. She can't help but be proud of herself for coping with things more easily now than she was before. She became more independent and resilient as time goes by when no more walls and no more political problems are keeping her from being her.She's too tired of her former life that returning home doesn't excite her anymore. She wants to stay with the Hellbender, to be just her, so she can laugh and enjoy life freely. Her true freedom.Vienna stood up from lying on the bed and fixed it. The room design is quite manly. Surprised was written on her face as she realized who owned the room she was staying in. She roamed her gaze around and noticed the number of books is on the room as if it's a library other than a bedroom. A study table and a set of
Chapter 14: Weird Yet WarmIf only Vienna can turn back the time, she will change it. If she only fought the aftereffect of that weird drug, the current scenario wouldn't be this bad. Leopard who kept glaring at her as if she will turn into a bubble if he blinks. Samson who looks guilty and is currently fighting with himself with something nonsense. Thompson and Von who never left my side that after I showed up in this tavern, made for the hellbender pirates only. Jake looks so worn out and the captain whom Vienna never heard talk to when she arrived. But the way he breathes, one can conclude that he is angry."A-ah Vienna, I'm sorry. I should have checked the water that my mom prepared for you, then you wouldn't have to experience those things. I'm sorry!" Samson pleaded at her. Vienna felt bad because she knows she was wrong too. "No please don't. I admit it's my fault too--" "How is that your fault? You don't know thi
Chapter 15: Royal BadgeIt took a lot of hours to finally reunite every Hellbender's crew to help find the mysterious plant that may be the cause of all the troubles circulating the island. Also, Vienna and the rest started late as it took a lot of time to finish illustrating the plant. Vienna has to draw a lot for the other crew to use as reference.Samson who couldn't wait anymore look for it after she finished her first piece. Then next were the two youngsters, Leopard also started looking for it early together with the Captain. Only Vienna and Jake were left in the tavern to finish the drawings.Awkward silence covered the atmosphere but none of them are planning to break it, afraid that it might end the scenario worse. Vienna knew that Jake kept staring at her and somehow she felt uncomfortable and glad at the same time. She couldn't understand her feelings anymore. After almost an hour she finished drawing lots of pieces, she was glad
Chapter 26: The Knight's ArrivedAs soon as the sun rises, we all moved as fast as we can to continue traveling to the other town, the outskirt of the kingdom, Thermis. But entering is harder than anything else when it comes to that outskirt. I heard that that place is the place for the bandits and runaway prisoners. It's just a rumor and even if it's true, that town is the only safest town for all of us, especially me. Knights can't enter that town for unknown reasons and even adventurers have a hard time so I hope that we can enter the town without anything to worry about. I am even willing to pay just so we can pass. I am worried but the others are not, they seem too relaxed and excited about it. And then I realized something."Uhm, can someone tell me how are we gonna enter the next town?" I worriedly asked."No need to worry lady Vien, we have a pass for that!" Marion exclaimed. I stared worriedly at her when I felt someone patting my back. Jake just nodded at me and smiled, ass
Chapter 25: ConfessionsBumpy and lots of tiny rocks scattered on the muddy ground. The trip wasn't that nice, rain sharted pouring just when we entered the forest of the Zraidfield though thankfully, no guards and some knights is patrolling the mountain. It was hard traveling and the sun started setting out already so we all decided to stop by. We wanted to stop in the next town to rent a room but the weather is not with us now, the rain gets stronger and stronger and the horses stopped midway. We don't have any other choice but to seek refuge in the nearest cave, thankfully, there is one.Samson and Leopard made a fire inside the cave while Regor and Gerald took care of the horses, feed it, and made sure they are safe from the rain. Lilian, Marion, as well as Von, and Thommy prepared dinner for us. I tried helping but I can't, I am afraid that I am not confident with my cooking skills. So I pleased myself by reanalyzing our maps. I wanted to read the letter Padre handed me but I can
CHAPTER 24: SHE'S ALIVEThin, greasy, and covered with a long and white beard. Padre Sotto, or should I say, Sotto. I signaled not to call me something that makes them notice. But thankfully, they didn't ask anything anymore, letting me talk freely to Sotto."W-who are they, your highness? And please, for heaven's sake, why are you with them?" Sotto pleaded, I sighed."You don't have to worry too much Padre, I am safe with them," I replied. Padre Sotto still doesn't look convinced. "The truth is, they are the ones who abduct m--""A-abduct!? Oh Goodness, oh my lord!" He nervously exclaimed., not letting me finish. "T-then, I must report them to the Guards." He added."No no, please, as I was saying, I am with them. They did not do something foolish to me, I joined them because I want to know something." I immediately explained. He still doesn't look convinced by what I said but I am confident and desperate to not mess up things, we planned.I don't want to slip this chance and cause t
CHAPTER 23: Head PriestIt took quite an hour or two to finish the transaction, I never thought we have to sign contracts that much and beat me up, the payment was too overpriced. I do know that you have to pay to temporarily register your team to freely roam around but dang, it costs us 150 gold coins. Too much for temporary registration.And yeah, I knew something was wrong. Guild Master Ruan's office is filled with things that normal officers can't have. And what caught my attention is the golden bell head statue on his shelf below the not-so-appealing portrait of himself while flexing his masculinity, half-naked. To be honest, it's disgusting. But that's not it, that golden bell statue is the trademark of the golden city's cathedral, that was supposed to be in the head priest's office. Then why?Don't tell me-- I immediately wandered my eyes around while the Guild Master are busy signing the papers and preparing our pass. The four of us waited pat
Chapter 22: The Adventurer's Guild After a few minutes of walking and asking, which was done by Lilian, by the way, we finally arrived at the guild. And fortunately, I saw a vendor selling some sort of eyewear, luckily they have this unique one that suits me. It perfectly hides my eye color, I am not sure what kind of element they use to make this one but that's not the point here. Now that I can hide my eye color, no one will suspect me any longer but then again, it's better to be cautious than nothing.We are now gathering under the mango tree just in front of the adventurer's guild, talking about who will be the one who will negotiate inside and register our team. Yes, we are 'adventurers' from the other kingdom doing business here but we still need to register the team to have a legal pass to wander the kingdom. It's legal things and I'm doing it illegally. I smirked at the idea of illegal. All of my life, I have been raised to reign the kingdom and work
Chapter 21: City of ZraidfeildThe sun shines so bright as it reaches my face, kissing it softly. A few meters away from the ship lies the abundant City of Zraidfeild. Excitement and fear linger in me, this is the very day that I anticipated the most. The day where I can finally return to my own land, my beloved kingdom. We are heading towards the old port in the city that fishermen only uses. In there, we can dock the ship safely.Just a few hours and we will arrive at the port. I already prepared everything last night as well as their identification cards. Starting today, The Pirate Hellbender will become The Salamander Adventurer. They left all the things that are related to them as a pirate on this ship for their mission and left it all here on this small ship. Drake patted my back and motioned me to follow him inside the cabin. I saw everyone waiting for me inside, though it was not my fault. No one told me that they are holding a sudden meeting today.
Chapter 20: ScammedVon and Thompson happily ate the curry Samson cooked together with Regor. Even I enjoyed it too since the chicken was preserved it has a different kind of taste other than the normal curry but that taste gives the curry more deliciousness it deserves. I didn't know that curry can be this delicious.After that awkward scene in the cabin, Marion can't stop telling the others what happened. No one can speak to Jake normally, he still can't get over to it and I felt embarrassed just by remembering it and the way Marion speaks to the others makes it more embarrassing. "I told you, the curve, the smoothness, and the color. Goodness, it looks like the heat didn't damage her skin!" Marion happily stated. I covered my face and shrink myself on the table."Marion, what a pervert," Leopard said and sip on his coffee."Hey! It's not just me, Jake saw it too!!" Marion defended. A loud thud enveloped the whole g
Chapter 19: Stolen Heart "W-what the hell happened?" Lilian exclaimed and look at me truly when she noticed my hair. It wasn't even cut evenly so it does look messy."Wow so wonderful, I didn't teach short hair suits you well! Hehe so pretty!!" Marion happily stated as she kept touching my now shoulder-length hair."That's not the point here Marion! She is a noble lady! They are not allowed to cut their hair that short!" Lilian shouted which surprises me. I don't understand why she is so fired up with my short hair. But what she said is true, instead of looking down in embarrassment, I held my head up high to show how serious I am with my decision.As for them, I'll keep all my resentment to them up until I can finally avenge what they did. I'll just have to act like usual and not let them feel my anger. After all, I'm good at acting too."With the nobles, the only one who is allowed to cut her hair that short is when her husband's
Chapter 18: DisturbanceI gulped the coffee Von made for me and smiled looking at pieces of compiled papers where all my plans are written. The only thing that is not visible is my plan of escape. For two days, I've been making this and revising it. I have had this hobby of organizing things since before and yes, I am a perfectionist and my blood boils when I find my work untidy or not appealing.My father taught me to be cautious about plan-making and my mother raised me to be a perfectionist. It's not that I hate it, I like it, I like clean things. It brightens my days, which is why Clara as my lady in waiting is such a pain in the ass for that lady quietly doesn't understand the word clean and the meaning of silence. She's always a mess and a very noisy lady. But what surprises me is her suitors, she has lots of men lining up on her.She's pretty and innocent as a daisy but her mouth is like a door without a lock. A driver who doesn't know how to break. But d